On April 22, 2020 – the 50th anniversary of Earth Day – the City launched the science-based, community-driven Houston Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, meet the Paris Agreement goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and lead the global energy transition.
WHAT IS A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN?
A Climate Action Plan provides evidenced-based measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preventative measures to address the negative outcomes of climate change. The plan will demonstrate how the City will adapt and improve its resilience to climate hazards that impact the city today as well as risks that may increase in the coming years.
To comply with the Paris Agreement, the plan will follow science-based criteria that will cap the temperature increase associated with climate change to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Scientists believe that preventing global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius will avert the worst consequences of climate change. This plan will create ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establish a pathway to meet the Paris Agreement goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
WHY MAKE A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN?
After three 500-year floods in as many years culminating with the largest rain event in North American history, climate change is an unprecedented challenge for Houston. Sustainability and resiliency go hand-in-hand and this plan is essential to the health and economic vitality of Houston’s future. The time for bold action is now.
Developing a Climate Action Plan allows the City to develop strategies that will not only help minimize the City’s carbon footprint but can help save money and improve the quality of life of residents. Co-benefits associated with climate action planning include decreased traffic and congestion, improved air quality, better access to parks and green spaces, and cost savings through energy efficiency projects.
WHO ARE OUR PARTNERS?
As experts in the field who are familiar with the Houston area, HARC will provide the technical expertise and run the models to develop the most effective climate mitigation measures. Funding for the development of the plan has been provided by CenterPoint Energy and the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation. Shell is providing support via Harvey recovery and resiliency planning efforts. C40 is a strategic partner aiding in the development of the city’s greenhouse gas inventory and ensuring compliance with the Paris Agreement.
Interested in partnering with the City? Please email greenhouston@houstontx.gov.
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?
On April 22, 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the City of Houston’s Office of Sustainability released the Houston Climate Action Plan, a science-based, community-driven strategy for the City of Houston to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, meet the Paris Agreement goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and lead a global energy transition.
WHAT ARE HOUSTON’S SOURCES OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS?
In 2014 Houston emitted 34.3 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Houston’s biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions are transportation (47%) and commercial and residential buildings (49%). Other sources of emissions include manufacturing, waste, and fugitive emissions (4%).
Overall, Houston’s greenhouse gas emissions have decreased since 2007, primarily due to increases in residential energy efficiency and more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power being built.
However, since 2007 emissions associated with transportation have increased.
HOW DOES HOUSTON COMPARE?
Houston has one of the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the country, largely due to high emissions from transportation. For more information and to see how Houston compares to other cities, visit: https://www.c40.org/other/gpc-dashboard.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
To implement the community-led goals, strategies, actions, and targets in the CAP, the City of Houston has created six CAP implementation working groups. Sign up here to participate in the Houston Climate Action Plan implementation working groups.
